The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-11-24
ECHOES OF TIE GALLONS.
WHO CUT TnE ROPE THAT LET
THE ANARCHISTS DROP?

An Open Question That Is just Now Inter-
estIng oroat Many Psople-The Ones
who Erected the scaiGold in ths Chicago
Jail Are Unknown to the Public.
LANSING, Mich, Nov IS Since the An
arohists went to their death in Chicago,
there has been considerable inquiry regard
ing the man VINO cut the rope, Rumor has
connected tho work with the names of sew
eral parties residing in various parts of the
country, but the individual who was appar-
entity the most prominently identified by
the public in relation to the casa is Mr.. O. ].
Pendleton, who lives near Leslie. Mich.
The residents Of the town have been sus-
pecting him for soms time Of being the man
who cut the rope, and they believe that he
is omp,oyel in various cities to hang Grim
inals For this reason his neighbors and
former associates shun him as they would
leper. That they are wrong in their suspi-
cion has been proved, but the fact remains
that Mr.. Pendleton built the scaffold on
which the men were hung. A reporter
called on him at his home, three miles north
west of Leslie, pleasantly located on one Of
the most productive farms in central Michi-
gan.
When the object OF the visit was stated
he entered freely into conversation rela-
tive to the matter. For two years previous
to 'S5 Mr. Pendleton resided in Chicago
Five years immediately proceeding his re-
moval to this state he was in the employ of
the city as chief of the fire department. and
also bad entire supervision Of the public
building and repairing. II was while serv-
ing in the latter capacity that he came into
prominence IL che criminal record Of Chi
cago. When sherry and Conley were exc
cuted 10 10 for The murder Of OConnell
Pendloton er.cied the scafPold. When
Tracey was throttled several years later
for the killing Of an officer, Pendleton again
built the gallows. In 'sS another execution
was added to the list. jacobson, an easily
angered character, in an unguarded mo
ment permitted his temper to get the best Of
him and slew an unfortunate wretch who
owed him dollar. Pendleton again built
the gallows
Succeeding this event the government OF
the city passed out of the Republican con-
trol, and in the administration that fol
lowed Pendletou was among the first who
ceased to draw revenue from the city cof-
fers tt was then he moved here When
he departed from Cook county Mr. Pendle-
ton thought ne had abandoned his former
occupation, but his skill was again in de-
mand in the spring Of the present year
when the three sons Of Italy were hanged
for numbering comrsde, when Mr.. Pen
dleton built the gallows
This scGfrold was taken apart aud placed
in the Jail basement for future use No
vember II it was again placed in position,
but by other hands than MIR. Pendleton's,
and the four Anarchists drew their last
breath on it The assertion that he cut the
rode in the last great National hanging
scene, is positively denied by Peudleton, and
that he was at home, and not out of Leslie
during the week OF the execution is proved.
However the gentleman ventures the re-
mark that he knows who did cut the cord
which held four men on the brink of the
grave, but positively refuses to divulge the
name, merely volunteering the information
that he is not resident of Michigan.
To Provide for the DaaEituta Familiaa